WIFE SWAP - Wholesome bluegrass vs shameful rap

OK, pop quiz.  Do you think these two families would get along? 

On the one hand, we have The Stockdale family, who has checked out of the amoral world of mass culture and live a rustic, sheltered life on a farm in Ohio, where their teenage boys do chores, play in the family bluegrass band, and totally don't think about girls or pre-marital sex because that's just icky. 

On the other hand, The Tonkovic family is all about mass culture, junk food, and sleeping in late.  They financially support their son, rapper T-Vic and his live-in girlfriend as well as their daughter Melissa and her boyfriend, who also lives in their house.  Pre-marital sex is definitely not icky in the Tonkovic crib.

Once again, it's hard to sympathize with either family because they represent such extremes of modern living.  Most people want to shelter their kids to some degree from an increasingly vulgar and dangerous world, but realize that at some point their kids have to grow up -- not the Stockdales.  Similarly, most people want their kids to chart their own course in life and enjoy some freedom - just not to the extent that the Tonkovics do.  Now I'm no sociologist, but I'd bet that the vast majority of Americans lie somewhere in the middle between the Stockdales and the Tonkovics.

Laurie Tonkovic is aghast at how sheltered and structured the lives of the Stockdale boys are - but this is the mom that smokes like a chimney, lets her kids eat junk, and doesn't seem overly concerned about her kids' lack of birth control.  Kathy Stockdale is shocked by the permissive attitude of the Stockdales towards their kids and their support of "shameful" rap music - but this is the mom who hides her kids away from the rest of the planet on a farm and doesn't let her 19 year old son even consider dating.  It's hard to really empathize with either woman, frankly.  Although at least the Tonkovics are consistent - I had a hard time figuring out how the Stockdales, who don't let their kids watch TV because it's eeevil, rationalized having their entire family appear on a reality TV  show.

Sparks fly, feelings get hurt, kids get confused about the crazy lady staying in their house, and some small lessons are learned.  Nobody gets along much.  But if they did get along, there'd be no Wife Swap.  It'd just be called A Friendly Exchange of Viewpoints, and nobody would watch it.

--Dave Campbell

Comments

[Laurie Tonkovic]

Hi I agree on some of your view points, but just remember all things couldnt be shown. I don't judge anyone and have faith in the way I have raised my children. The were disaplined, and taught right from wrong. Now that they are older I have faith in their decissions. We have grown as a family doing whatever necessary to make our family loving and open hearted without judging anyone. Unfortuantly that wasnt the same in their eyes. thanks would love to here more comments laurie tonkovic

[laurie tonkovic]

By the way, they didnt mention my older son that is 24 Michael Tonkovic that is a United States Marine serving in Iraq fight for our country.

"Born of the Free Because of the Brave" is Laurie Tonkovic's Quote.